AG's comment arbitrary, politically motivated

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's lawyer Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon yesterday said the attorney general's statement about Hawa Bhaban's involvement in the Niko corruption case is illegal, arbitrary and politically motivated.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, as a public prosecutor, is supposed to conduct corruption cases at the trial court according to the laws of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). However, he, in violation of the law, is making statements about the Niko case in his attempt to influence the case proceedings, Barrister Mahbub alleged. 

Khaleda's lawyer made the remarks at a press briefing at his chamber in the capital's Dhanmondi area.  

The night before, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam at a press briefing claimed that investigations conducted by both FBI of the US and police of Canada have found the involvement of Hawa Bhaban (then political office of the BNP chief) in the Niko corruption case.

Earlier that day, in a petition submitted to a Dhaka court, the AG sought permission to produce three witnesses, including an FBI special agent, before it in connection with the Niko corruption case that was filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 10 others.

Judge Md Mahmoodul Kabir of the Special Judge's Court-9 of Dhaka fixed December 9 for hearing on the petition.

Yesterday, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon told the media that the attorney general made the move regarding the Niko case in order to damage BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's reputation ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Mahbub also claimed that the Niko deal was signed when Sheikh Hasina came to power and became prime minister for the first time (1996-2001) and the relevant file was approved later on by the government of Khaleda Zia.

Contacted, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told The Daily Star that according to the constitution, he can move any case before any court of the country as the attorney general of the state.

He also said he obtained the investigation reports from FBI and Canadian police with the help of mutual legal assistance laws.   

On December 9, 2007, the ACC filed the Niko graft case with Tejgaon Police Station, accusing Khaleda Zia, prime minister from 2001 to 2006, and 10 others of abusing power to award a gas exploration and extraction deal to Canadian company Niko.

In 2011, FBI investigator Debra Laprevotte helped the ACC in its probe against Tarique Rahman, son of Khaleda, and Giausuddin Al Mamun, Tarique's associate, in a money-laundering case.

The same year, Debra also testified before a Dhaka court against Tarique and Mamun in the money laundering case. The duo were later sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.